Heikki Sorsa and Burton Snowboards - Heiki Sorsa is one of the greatest Finish exports. He is one of the best riders of Burton Snowboards’ Global Team. He can ride from half pipes to rails with so much style and control. I’m glad that he is back in the Burton Global Team. They told us that JP Solberg and Romain De Marchi are not longer in the Global Team. Heikki is sponsored by Burton, Oakley, Analog, Gravis, Red Bull and GSM-Suomi.

- Heikki Sorsa at the Transworld Awards (George Crosland’s Photo)

- At the 2007 US Open Slopestyle (Andrew Miller’s Photo)

- Heikki Sorsa at the Winter X Games 12  (Andrew Miller’s Photo)

Shaun White Burton Snowboards - What to say about Shaun White? He changed the face of snowboarding: from playmates to the cover of Rolling Stone, from Hollywood Hills to winning the gold at the 2006 Olympics and from a Dodge Patas to driving a Lamborghini. The list of his sponsors is endless; Burton Snowboards, Oakley, Red Bull, Volcom, Adio Shoes, Park City Resort, HP, Target, etc.

Shaun White is also a professional skateboarder and has a pro model with Tony Hawk’s company Birdhouse and trust me he can put the hammer down when we are talking about skating transitions. Everybody is wondering if he will get his second gold medal at 2010 Olympics in Whistler, Canada? Do you?

Danny Davis - Burton Snowboards - Danny Davis is an incredible snowboarder; he can ride any type of terrain with great control and style, from half pipe to powder. He was born in Michigan, attended Stratton Mountain School and moved to Tahoe because of the amount of resorts around this area and the proximity to the Reno Airport.

In the 2006 US Open Danny won the Quarterpipe Competition and took the second place at the Halfpipe Competition. He is sponsored by Burton Snowboards, Analog, AG Streetwear, Anon Optics, R.E.D and Frends. Check out some pics!

Terje Haakonsen - Terje Haakonsen is considered one of the most influential riders ever.  Terje dominated freestyle snowboarding in the 90’s winning ISF World Championships in half-pipe three times:  1993, 1995 and 1997. He also won 5 European half-pipe competitions, 3 times US Open and 6 times Mt Baker Banked Slalom (one switch time stance). Terje also has the current world highest air with a 9.8 meter backside 360 in a Quarterpipe.
Terje Haakonsen developed a few Burton Snowboards:  the Burton T6, the Burton Malolo, the Burton Fish and the famous Balance series back from the 90’s to 2000. His sponsors are: Burton Snowboards, Oakley, Swatch, Skullcandy, Volcom Outerwear, etc. These days he lives between Oslo, California, Hawaii and the back country.  Check out this a picture from his original Burton Balance Series.

Danny Kass is one of the best snowboarders on earth. Danny can shred any terrain with finesse, control and power like no other. His style remains me of half Kevin Jones and half Todd Richards. This year he is filming for the new Grenade snowboard video The Boned Age, cannot wait to watch it! Gabe Taylor told me that Danny’s part in powder will be insane. The list of Danny Kass sponsors goes on and on: Gnu, Nike, Oakley, Grenade, Monster, etc, etc.  Plus he is an amazing skateboarder like his brother Matt Kass and a business owner as well. How will be the reality show with Dingo and Danny Kass?

Louie Vito is Great Person and Snowboarder. He is sponsored by Omatic Snowboards, Spy Optics, Kicker Audio, Boost Mobile, Grenade Gloves, Vestal Watch, Monster Energy and Skullcandy. Louie Vito kills at Pipe, slopestyle and jumps. He has great style and personality. Check out some of his pictures:

One of his great Tattoos

Always on the phone

Stephen Duke - Stephen Duke is a great rider and a master of style. He is sponsored by Billabong, Hoven, Northwave, Drake, Bakoda, Grenade, Active, and Elm. Stephen lives in Tahoe and for the last couple of years he has been filming for MDP Peolple division. Here is a life style pic that George Crosland took last week in Vista, CA while Stephen was in So Cal taking care of the business end of riding. Be ready for his exclusive interview at Snowrev.com

Torstein Horgmo and DC Snowboards - Torstein is a ripper sponsored by DC Snowboards Red Bull and Oakley. Hailing from Norway but he spends most of his time around the world filming for Standard Movies or for the latest DC movies (made by our friend Pierre Wikberg) for the last two years. He also won the Winter X Games at the Big Jump in 2008 here is a picture of Torstein Horgmo in Canada this past winter filming for Standard Movies.

Johan Olofsson Snowboarder -  I still remember the first time I saw Johan Olofsson in the winter of ‘92 at Tignes (France) in a summer camp. He was shredding with Sebu Kuhlberg (Damn is almost 17 years ago, way before Chad Muska, Ghetto Blaster or Tom Penny front flips in USA). Johan literally DESTROY the whole park, riding switch at that time. Johan Olofsson, Sebu kuhlberg and John Sommers made my day. This was before Johan Olofsson was focusing more on back country and filming the best big mountain part in the Standard Films classic TB5. After an 8 year contract with Burton Snowboards the injuries came and Johan Olofsson stayed away from the scene. This last year however, after a full recovery, he is filming again for the Hachets and their Totally Board series in interior BC.
Cannot wait to see his part in the next Standard Movie with his snowboard. Johan Olofsson can still stand strong.

Todd Richards - Todd Richards, sponsored by Omatic Snowboards, Quicksilver, Nixon, DC Shoes, Spy Optics and Pro-Tec helmets, is one of the greatest snowboarders of all time. Todd can adapt to any type of terrain with style and control like no other. His style reminds me of a Chris Roach skate style. The first time I saw him was in Geneva Switzerland in 1992 with John Cardiel skating a halfpipe. I guarantee very few snowboarders can skate like Todd. Nowadays you can see him surfing at Beacons Beach, in any airport around the globe or shredding pow at Tyax Heli, British Columbia. Long life to one of the better attitudes on the snowboard industry!

Todd Working hard at Omatic. He showed me his new car Is INSANE

Having Tea with the man, not at panaking this time. Check how cool are the OMATIC pink stickers